At Jarvis Law Office, P.C., we help families with probate avoidance strategies in Hilliard, Ohio.
Estates must go through probate following an individual’s passing, with or without a will present. The probate process includes validating any wills and settling all related matters of the estate.
Beneficiaries cannot claim their inheritance until this procedure is complete, which can take many months or potentially over a year, depending on the size of the estate.
Probate can be a very involved and complex process, but legal help is available. Our Hilliard probate and estate administration attorney can help you administer the estate. We are also available if you believe the administrator or executor isn’t acting in the estate’s best interest. Contact us today to discuss your case.
What Assets Don’t Go Through Probate?
Only some assets have to go through the probate process. Non-probate assets include:
- Assets inside of a revocable or irrevocable trust
- Jointly owned assets
- Assets with designated beneficiaries
- Transfer-on-death assets
Types of Probate in Hilliard
In Hilliard, probate takes one of three forms. Estates valued under $50,000 (or $100,000 with complete spousal inheritance) use simplified probate. Those estates whose assets are valued below $5,000 or matching funeral expenses qualify for summary release.
Larger estates must enter formal probate, a more detailed procedure that can sometimes involve legal contests.
Our skilled Hilliard estate administration and probate lawyer can protect your estate’s interests during the process.
Executor and Administrator Duties
You can designate someone as your executor when drafting your will. If you do not, the probate court will name an administrator. This designee is often the surviving spouse, if applicable.
The executor or administrator’s first duty is to validate the will. The estate’s assets must then be inventoried and appraised.
Next, the person must pay the taxes and debts. Once that is done, the executor or administrator will distribute the property.
While some administrators and executors choose to handle probate themselves, many find that hiring a trust administration and probate lawyer makes the process much easier. From legal challenges to record-keeping, our probate administration attorney can assist with every aspect of probate.
Support for Will Challenges
Challenges to a will can occur throughout the probate process. Individuals with legal standing and valid grounds are allowed to contest a will. Our Hilliard probate administration attorney provides assistance in both defending and challenging wills.
Executors and administrators can rely on us for support in court. We also help challenge a will’s validity when needed. Contact us today to discuss your options.
Probate Timeline and Complexity
The probate process typically takes nine months. However, estate size and legal factors can complicate this. With offices in Lancaster, Dublin and St. Clairsville, our attorneys simplify the process. They manage probate court guidelines, legal challenges, and creditor interactions.
